Since the labour hire licensing scheme commenced in Queensland in 2018, authorities have prosecuted 32 breaches of the Act with Queensland courts imposing fines totalling $2,420,000, including the recent notable prosecution below.

Prosecution outcome finalised in Chinchilla Magistrates Court

On Tuesday 24 March 2026, the Queensland Labour Hire Compliance Unit (LHLCU) successfully prosecuted an unlicensed labour hire provider for breaches under the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017 (Qld) (LHL Act) at the Chinchilla Magistrates Court.

Inspectors from Labour Hire Licensing Compliance Unit (LHLCU) recently conducted follow-up field visits in the Far North Queensland region after a multi-agency engagement late last year. Although severe weather cut the trip short, farms and other labour hire users showed a willingness to assist with our enquiries. This was a positive outcome and supports our ongoing work to protect workers from exploitation and promote the integrity of Queensland’s labour hire industry.

Did you know that if you supply workers to businesses or organisations that provide the following services, you may have obligations under blue card legislation?

Background

The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 (Cth) expanded the role of the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) in addressing sexual harassment in connection with work.

Legislative provisions

Sexual harassment is defined as:

Queensland business, including labour hire business, have a responsibility to create workplaces that are physically and psychologically safe.
Psychosocial hazards can arise from:

Compliance with legal obligations

Licensed labour hire providers that do not comply with their obligations may have their licence suspended or cancelled. The Labour Hire Licensing Compliance Unit (LHLCU) will refuse an application unless it is satisfied that an applicant meets the licensing criteria. This includes confirming that relevant persons comply with their legal obligations, are fit and proper persons, and that the business is financially viable.

Queensland’s labour hire licensing scheme continues to deliver significant outcomes in protecting vulnerable workers and ensuring the integrity of the labour hire industry. It achieves this by working closely with stakeholders, other regulators and the community.

Since the labour hire licensing scheme commenced in Queensland in 2018, there have been 30 prosecutions for breaches of the Act with fines totalling $2,320,000 imposed by the courts including the recent notable prosecution detailed below.

Labour Hire Licensing Compliance Unit (LHLCU) inspectors recently conducted field visits with officers from Department of Employment Workplace Relations (DEWR) and the Australian Border Force (ABF) across the Mareeba and surrounding regions.